The Best Cafes Near Playgrounds In Sydney

As a parent, there is nothing like sitting down and enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, or a carefree hour spent with friends chatting about how adorable your kids are.

Unfortunately, this is, to put it bluntly, a fantasy. In reality, it is possible to ignore the banging, wriggling, singing and shouting for attention for only so long. But there is a solution.

For the best of both worlds, we bring you some of the best cafes near playgrounds in Sydney. Now your need for caffeine doesn’t have to come at the expense of your kid's desire to expend some serious energy! (You're welcome.)

The Best Cafes Near Playgrounds in Sydney.

1. Centennial Homestead 

The swanky restaurant and more casual cafe at Centennial Homestead pretty much overlook the main playground, or if your kid is itching to get playing, you can head around the back of the restaurant to The Pantry for a take-away. You can grab a table outside on the deck or head to the playground just a few metres away. The playground is a great one with plenty of shade, a large sandpit and lots of equipment to keep the kids amused.

You can also head around to Fearnley Grounds, the newest addition to the Parklands designed especially for families, where the fabulous Greenhouse Cafe is adjacent to the children’s cycleway and playground. 

Location: 1 Grand Dr, Centennial Park

2. The Picnic, Burwood

The Picnic Burwood is a bright, friendly cafe located smack bang in beautiful Burwood Park. Their colourful menu is bursting with delicious food including kids' options, so it's perfect for a family brunch. Otherwise, grab excellent coffee and baked treats for a picnic while little ones run wild in the lush parkland. Within sight of The Picnic, Burwood Park has a great enclosed playground with shaded shelters, as well as a large sporting field, walking trails, outdoor chess boards and a duck pond.

Location: Burwood Park, 2 Comer St, Burwood

3. Tramsheds Cafe, Narrabeen

Perched right on Narrabeen Lake, The Tramshed Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch, with great coffee, a top-notch kids menu and a fully restored 1930s tram carriage. The tram theme extends to the Berry Reserve Playground next door—one of the best playgrounds on the Northern Beaches. Also known as the Tramshed Cafe Playground, these two go together like a conductor and his whistle! 

The playground has a giant wooden climbing castle, slides, swings, mini trampolines, percussion instruments and a sand play area, plus tram tracks, a mini ticket booth and a train platform.

Location: 1395A Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen

4. Sydney Park Kiosk, St Peters

With gourmet snacks, salads and kids' toasties, The Kiosk is the perfect pitstop with the playground just moments away - and Sydney Park Playground is no ordinary playground. There are slides, swings and bridges, sandpits and water play, and a huge bike and scooter track complete with realistic road signs. Make sure you get a large coffee, you could be here for a while!

Location: Sydney Park, Sydney Park Rd, St Peters

5. Livvi’s Place Cafe, Five Dock

Livvi’s Place Cafes and Playgrounds (they are also at Marsden Park, Willowdale & Ryde) are a place for kids of all ages and abilities to play together. They cater to hearing, vision and mobility impairments and those with an autism spectrum disorder. The playgrounds also encourage adults to play alongside their kids.

The Livvi’s Place Cafe at Five Dock serves delicious Campos coffee and yummy bakery goods, with a portion of profits going back to the Livvi’s Place foundation. They aim to employ people in the community with a disability at the cafe making it a win-win-win situation. A good coffee for a good cause! 

Location: Henley Marine Dr, Five Dock

6. The Teahouse at Camellia Gardens, Caringbah

There are two playgrounds within Camellia Gardens and the charming Jade Teahouse Cafe which overlooks the gardens and serves delicious treats including high tea and Devonshire tea. They have a kids’ menu and take-away is available if you are ready to head straight for the playground. Oh, and while you’re at it, pick up some duck food from the cafe, and take the kids to the pond to feed the ducks.

Location: The Camellia Gardens Corner of President Ave & Kareena Rd, Caringbah 

7. Armoury Wharf Cafe, Olympic Park

The Armoury Wharf Cafe is right next to Blaxland Riverside Park, touted as the biggest playground in Sydney. Choose views over the Parramatta River or outdoor tables overlooking the climbing ropes! There is a kids’ menu for breakfast and lunch, plastic cups and plates and drawing books and pencils provided. The Canteen is also open for families grabbing a quick coffee for a long play. 

Location: Blaxland Riverside Park, Jamieson St, Sydney Olympic Park

8. Rushcutters Bay Park

Look out for a sea of yachts moored at the foreshore, and you've found Rushcutters Bay Park, a beautiful harbourside park with a kiosk and playground. The Rushcutters Bay Kiosk serves up good cafe-style fodder and great views. It makes for an easy coffee stop and they have a kids menu. The enclosed play area has swings, a see-saw and lots of tactile play stations to explore. The large leafy trees give plenty of shade cover and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. The park itself is perfect for running around or kicking a ball, and there are pathways for bikes and scooters!

Location: New Beach Rd, Rushcutters Bay

9. The Tuckshop, Glenhaven

The Tuckshop at Glenhaven serves up delicious meals and seriously epic coffee, which you can enjoy in the ultra-cool surrounds of The Tuckshop, or carry to the playground just across the car park. You can even borrow a blanket and make a picnic of it.

Location: 78 Glenhaven Rd, Glenhaven 

10. Queens Park Kitchen, Queens Park

Officially part of Centennial Parklands, although it is a short drive away from the main park, is Queens Park Kitchen with a few tables overlooking the huge Queen’s Park playground.

There is equipment for both younger and older kids and a safety fence. The food here is delicious and they have a kids' menu. Basically, all your bases are covered! 

Location: Darley Rd, Queens Park

More Things to Do in Sydney

Sydney's Best Indoor Play Centres
The Best Kids' Shows in Sydney 2024
The Best Beaches for Kids in Sydney

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